Biodynamic Wine-crafting in Switzerland

Over the past two decades, Swiss wine-crafting professionals (vignerons) have increasingly turned their attention toward a ‘holistic’ and ecosystemic understanding of vineyards. Among them, growing professional segment has engaged in an esoteric agronomy inspired by Rudolf Steiner: Biodynamics. This approach is illustrative Bron Taylor’s dark green religion applied to agronomy. ethnographic study describes analyzes how vignerons translate adapt legacy Steiner everyday lives. After detailing practitioners frame engagement this agronomy, author distinguishes processes translation adaptation Steiner’s insights: (a) secularization, which bridges guidelines biodynamics common secular naturalistic ideas; (b) spiritualization, relies on supernaturalistic conceptions line with ‘expressive selfhood’ quest for well-being. The argues that these do not stand mutual opposition, but rather been intertwined Euro-American modernities.